An Analysis of the Case For Producing Anthrax Vaccine in Australia

Summary

​Anthrax represents a risk to Australian livestock industries through loss of market access. This project was undertaken to determine whether local manufacture of anthrax vaccine on land provided by the NSW Government at EMAI is an appropriate response to the proposition that a more secure supply of anthrax vaccine is required.

The risks to vaccine supply are currently manufacturing interruption, business decisions, transport disruption, regulatory intervention and insufficient supply. Local production, by itself, would not substantially reduce these risks. However, a second source of supply or establishment of a vaccine bank either alone or in conjunction with local production would be more effective at attenuating these risks to supply.

The cost of establishing local production, including a vaccine bank of a year’s supply, is estimated at $2.6m. Production costs, not including cost of capital, are estimated to be $0.88 - $1.76 per cattle dose.

The cost of establishing local production, including a vaccine bank of a year’s supply, is estimated at $2.6m. Production costs, not including cost of capital, are estimated to be $0.88 - $1.76 per cattle dose.